Quaker History

For over 140 years, we've been inspired by the powerand wholesome goodness of the amazing oat. See how we've grown with it.

1850

Ferdinand Schumacher founds German MillsAmerican Cereal Company in Akron, OH. During thesame period, John Stuart established the North StarMills Company in Canada.

1877

Quaker Oats registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal. The trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent Office as "a figure of a man in 'Quaker garb.'" Both former owners, Henry Seymour and William Heston, claimed to have selected the Quaker name as a symbol of good quality and honest value.

1881

Henry Parsons Crowell buys the bankrupt Quaker Millin Ravenna, OH, and its most important asset –the brand name Quaker.

1882

Crowell launches the first national magazineadvertising program for a breakfast cereal.

1890

The American Cereal Company runs a special all-Quaker Oats train from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR and introduces the first ever "trial-size samples." 1/2 oz. sample boxes of Quaker Oats are delivered to every mailbox in Portland, OR.

1891

Two more firsts – Quaker Oats introduced the idea of packaged premiums by inserting chinaware items into boxes of oats, plus we became the first brand to feature a recipe on its box (the recipe was for Oatmeal Bread).

1908

Oat Cakes become the first oatmeal cookie to appear on the Quaker Oats package.

1915

The familiar round Quaker Oats package is introduced.

1922

Quaker introduces Quaker Quick Oats, one of the firstconvenience products.

1981

1987

Actor Wilford Brimley stars in the advertising campaign, “The Right Thing To Do,” which runs for 5 years.

1995

The Quaker Oats Company Submits a heart petition tothe FDA for consideration.

1996

The FDA issues a proposal for the first health claim for a specific food – oatmeal for heart health.

1997

The first food-specific health claim for oatmeal is approved by the FDA. The new heart health claim appears on Quaker Oatmeal cereals which qualify. The claim reads: "Soluble fiber from oatmeal as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease." This was also the first year of the Smart Heart Challenge.

2007

Quaker celebrates our 130-year anniversary.

2009

Bob Harper joins the Quaker family to helpfans make positive changes! Some of his favoriteoatmeal toppings are blueberries and slivered almonds.

2012

The famous Quaker man (affectionately known as Larry)undergoes a subtle makeover—including getting back inshape by eating right and exercising, trimming his famouscoif and revealing more radiant skin from daily oatmeal masks.

1850

Ferdinand Schumacher founds German MillsAmerican Cereal Company in Akron, OH. During thesame period, John Stuart established the North StarMills Company in Canada.

1877

Quaker Oats registered as the first trademark for a breakfast cereal. The trademark was registered with the U.S. Patent Office as "a figure of a man in 'Quaker garb.'" Both former owners, Henry Seymour and William Heston, claimed to have selected the Quaker name as a symbol of good quality and honest value.

1881

Henry Parsons Crowell buys the bankrupt Quaker Millin Ravenna, OH, and its most important asset –the brand name Quaker.

1882

Crowell launches the first national magazine advertising program for a breakfast cereal.

1890

The American Cereal Company runs a special all-Quaker Oats train from Cedar Rapids, IA to Portland, OR and introduces the first ever "trial-size samples." 1/2 oz. sample boxes of Quaker Oats are delivered to every mailbox in Portland, OR.

1891

Two more firsts – Quaker Oats introduced the idea of packaged premiums by inserting chinaware items into boxes of oats, plus we became the first brand to feature a recipe on its box (the recipe was for Oatmeal Bread).

1908

Oat Cakes become the first oatmeal cookie to appear on the Quaker Oats package.

1915

The familiar round Quaker Oats package is introduced.

1922

Quaker introduces Quaker Quick Oats, one of the firstconvenience products.

1981

1987

Actor Wilford Brimley stars in the advertising campaign, “The Right Thing To Do,” which runs for 5 years.

1995

The Quaker Oats Company Submits a heart petition tothe FDA for consideration.

1996

The FDA issues a proposal for the first health claim for a specific food – oatmeal for heart health.

1997

The first food-specific health claim for oatmeal is approved by the FDA. The new heart health claim appears on Quaker Oatmeal cereals which qualify. The claim reads: "Soluble fiber from oatmeal as part of a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease. This was also the first year of the Smart Heart Challenge.

2007

Quaker celebrates our 130-year anniversary.

2009

Bob Harper joins the Quaker family to helpfans make positive changes! Some of his favoriteoatmeal toppings are blueberries and slivered almonds.

2012

The famous Quaker man (affectionately known as Larry) undergoes a subtle makeover—including getting back in shape by eating right and exercising, trimming his famous coif and revealing more radiant skin from daily oatmeal masks.